(NC)—Water heaters quietly function in basement corners across the country, providing hot water to millions of families on a daily basis. Most take hot water for granted, but when a water heater stops providing hot water, one wonders what they really know about their water tank. Dave Walton, director home ideas with Direct Energy talks about the most common myths and questions he’s heard around water heaters recently:
Myth: You have dirty water if you have an older water heater.
Truth: Water heaters work for years without accumulating any significant buildup of rust – that’s how they are designed. Small amounts of sediment or lime can accumulate at the bottom of the tank over the life of a water heater, but since hot water is pulled from the top of the tank, your water is largely unaffected by the small deposits of sediment.
Myth: Annual maintenance improves efficiency.
Truth: Only if you’ve experienced severe conditions like lime accumulation or sediment will an annual maintenance improve efficiency. It’s best to order a maintenance visit if you notice a problem like discoloured water or not enough hot water from your tank.
Walton goes on to discuss tankless units’ capacity, energy efficiency, maintenance requirements and lifespan as other common areas of interest around water heaters. He’s compiled a list of helpful tips to help familiarize homeowners with water heaters and their needs:
Capacity – For both conventional and tankless units, it is important for homeowners to correctly calculate their hot water needs. This is especially true for tankless units. The capacity of a tankless unit needs to be thoroughly researched based on the number of facilities within the home requiring hot water simultaneously.
Quality – In areas where the water quality rates as hard, a tankless water heater is not recommended. Tankless units are more susceptible to water scaling than conventional water heaters. However, the harder the water quality, the more scaling occurs in both systems.
Longevity – Homeowners can expect their conventional water heater to supply hot water for approximately sixteen years, depending upon a number of factors including, without limitation, the use of the water heater, the water temperature and the type of water in the premises. A tankless unit can last in the neighbourhood of twenty years, depending on water quality and usage requirements.
Maintenance – Unlike their basement mates, furnaces, conventional water heaters generally do not require an annual maintenance routine. Maintenance for tankless systems is specific to each model and brand. Homeowners should consult their manuals for guidance.
Energy Efficiency – Homeowners can take the following measure to add to the efficiency of their hot water tank. Wrap the water pipes leading away from the tank; do not wrap the tank itself if it is gas-powered; turn down the temperature when on vacation or away for extended periods of time; keep temperature at manufacturer suggested level; and keep the area around the tank clutter-free for optimum air flow.
More information is available online at www.directenergy.com or toll-free 1-888-334-8221.
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